Rioles Law Offices Rioles Law Offices | Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer | Family Law 2026-07-09T14:05:59Z https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[Preparing your child to handle questions as they return to school]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50469 2026-07-09T14:05:59Z 2026-07-09T14:05:59Z Keeping responses simple and establishing boundaries Regardless of age, it’s important for kids to know they don’t need to answer every question someone asks them or go into unnecessary detail. Help your kids be prepared with simple statements like, “My parents separated/divorced over the summer, so I live in two different homes now.” If someone has a question about your child’s living arrangement or parental involvement, they can say something like, “We’re still working things out.” If your child doesn’t want to or know how to answer a question, let them know they every right to say, “Thanks for your interest, but I’m not comfortable discussing it.” Of course, they should always feel free to say, “That’s something you’ll have to ask my mom/dad.” This can be an important lesson in setting boundaries around personal matters. It may be best if you and your co-parent are both available to help your child navigate what can be uncomfortable questions and comments. If you can remain on amicable terms during and after your divorce, you can potentially better focus on your child’s needs.]]> On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[Does an empty nest have you contemplating divorce?]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50467 2026-06-29T17:52:40Z 2026-06-29T17:52:40Z For many parents, raising children becomes the central focus of daily life for years or even decades. School events, sports practices, family vacations and the countless responsibilities of parenthood can leave little time to think about a spousal relationship itself. When the children leave home for college, work or independent living, some couples suddenly find themselves facing a very different reality.  The transition to an empty nest can prompt reflection about the future, and for some, that reflection includes questions about whether divorce is the best way forward. 

For some, an empty nest leads to a need for a bigger change 

The empty nest stage often inspires significant changes. Couples may spend more time together than they have in years. Without the routines and demands associated with raising children, longstanding relationship issues may become more noticeable. Problems that were once pushed aside in favor of parenting responsibilities can move to the forefront. For some couples, this transition creates an opportunity to reconnect. They may rediscover shared interests, travel together or enjoy greater flexibility in their schedules. For others, however, the departure of children highlights emotional distance that developed over time. They may realize they have grown apart or no longer share the same goals and priorities. Sometimes, parents who have delayed divorce until their children became adults may feel that the timing is finally right to evaluate their options.  Before making any major decisions, it is often helpful to take time to assess both the emotional and practical aspects of the situation. Some couples benefit from counseling or other efforts to strengthen the relationship. Others conclude that divorce is the best path for them without that need for intervention.  Regardless of the outcome, obtaining accurate legal information can be valuable. Understanding one’s rights and obligations does not mean that spouses have decided to end their marriage. It simply allows each individual to make informed choices about the future.]]> On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[How to protect your wealth in a high-asset divorce]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50465 2026-06-18T15:56:47Z 2026-06-21T05:00:31Z Build a specialized professional team A high-asset divorce attorney can help you address complex property issues. A forensic accountant or business valuator may also help trace money, review records and estimate the value of a company.

Document and value assets thoroughly

Understanding what the estate includes is an important starting point. Current values for real estate, investments, art, jewelry and business interests can help keep financial talks based on accurate numbers.

Keep separate property distinct

Property owned before marriage, along with gifts and inheritances, may remain separate. However, income or growth tied to marital efforts can raise more complex issues. Additionally, mixing those assets with joint money can make ownership harder to prove. That distinction is important during property division in Rhode Island. That’s because the state follows an equitable distribution system. This means courts generally seek a fair division of marital property instead of an automatic equal split. Courts can consider facts such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's role and the type of property involved.

Careful planning can protect your financial future

A high-asset divorce often involves more than deciding who receives a specific asset. Taxes, cash flow and future value can also affect the practical impact of a proposed settlement. For example, keeping a business interest may look helpful at first. Yet tax costs or valuation disputes can change its overall worth. Clear records and reliable financial details can provide a more accurate picture of those financial effects. That information can help you evaluate different outcomes over the long term.]]> On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[Caregiving for a child with special needs can impact alimony]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50461 2026-06-17T22:13:52Z 2026-06-17T22:13:52Z Caregiving can prevent full-time employment Children with developmental delays and various medical challenges may never live a fully independent life. They may reside with their parents and rely on them for financial support. They may need daily nursing care, which one parent may have training to provide. The support that an adult child with special needs requires could interfere with the parent’s ability to maintain full-time employment or to fully develop their career. The courts may consider a caregiving parent’s daily obligations when deciding how long alimony should last and how much alimony is appropriate. It is also sometimes possible to request a continuation of child support into the adult years in cases where a child cannot live independently or work to support themselves. Caregiving parents concerned about maintaining a reasonable standard of living after divorce may need help understanding the law and developing an effective strategy during the early stages of a divorce. Reviewing family circumstances with a divorce attorney can help parents who are caregivers for their adult children understand and make use of their legal rights when facing complex divorces.]]> On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[Child custody concerns more than living situations]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50459 2026-06-05T12:28:01Z 2026-06-05T12:28:01Z Key decisions parents need to make If a parent has legal custody rights, it means they get to be involved in making decisions about things like:
  • Where the child will go to school
  • What type of medical care the child will receive
  • What religion the child will be brought up in
Like physical custody rights, legal custody can be split in different ways. If one parent has sole legal custody rights, they could make a medical decision on their own, without consulting the other coparent. But if both parents have joint legal custody rights, then they have to work together, and they both have to approve critical decisions.

Resolving a child custody dispute

Shared authority sometimes leads to conflicts when both parents cannot agree, or when one alleges that the other violated their custody rights by making an important decision on their own. In these situations, it is crucial that coparents understand exactly what legal rights they are entitled to. Seeking legal guidance can help.]]> On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[Valuing collections while preparing for a divorce]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50457 2026-05-21T18:11:57Z 2026-05-21T18:11:56Z Collections can be worth thousands Technically, any assets acquired with marital income are part of the marital estate if spouses divorce. Both joint collections that spouses built together and personal collections maintained by one spouse may influence property division outcomes. Couples who collect wine might have bottles worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. They may not intend to sell their wine, but they do need to know what it is worth to divide it reasonably or to balance out one spouse's retention of the collection in the property division settlement. Works of fine art, sports memorabilia, vintage wristwatches, designer wardrobes and heirloom furniture are all examples of collections that could have a substantial impact on the final property division terms set in a divorce. Taking the time to properly value the most valuable items in a collection can help spouses achieve a fair property division outcome. Undervalued collections can skew property division proceedings, especially if one spouse may be aware of the other's lack of knowledge and may take advantage of the situation. Spouses concerned about high-asset property division issues may want to review their marital holdings with a lawyer accordingly.]]> On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[3 reasons not to seek as much custody as possible]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50455 2026-05-10T01:35:05Z 2026-05-10T01:35:05Z 1. It increases the chance of a difficult divorce Divorces tend to be simpler when spouses are willing to cooperate to help ensure both come out of the marriage as happy as possible. When spouses focus only on what they want, without regard for what their spouse might want, it increases the chance of conflict and drawn out proceedings. Accepting that your spouse likely want to have the kids as much as you do and trying to find a fairer split of custody and parenting time is usually for the best.

2. It might be harder work than you expect

Some parents go into a divorce underestimating just how much their spouse did with regard to the kids. If they were to get the lion’s share of custody they want, they might soon find themselves struggling to make time for themselves. This can be particularly pertinent in times when the children are off school.

3. It may not be ideal for the kids

Even if you believe your soon-to-be ex has been a bad spouse, your children may have a very different view of them as a parent. With a few exceptions, most children want to spend time with both parents and benefit from being able to do so regularly. It’s crucial to remember that courts look favorably on custody agreements that are in the best interests of the children rather than catering to either parent’s preferences. Learning more about what this means can help you navigate your divorce.]]> On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[Do your bonuses count towards your alimony order in Rhode Island?]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50452 2026-04-24T08:26:01Z 2026-04-24T08:26:01Z Many Rhode Island professionals rely on annual or performance-based bonuses as a significant part of their take-home pay. If you are considering divorce, you may be asking a very important question: does that bonus money stay in your pocket or does it increase your alimony obligation? The answer is not always simple, but understanding how Rhode Island law treats bonuses can help you plan ahead.

How Rhode Island defines income for alimony

Rhode Island law takes a broad view of income when calculating alimony. Courts consider wages, salaries, commissions and bonuses as part of your total earnings. So if you receive regular performance bonuses, a judge may factor that money into your spousal support obligation. This is especially important to consider if your bonus makes up a large portion of your annual pay. Thus, knowing this upfront helps you set realistic expectations as you move through the divorce process.

When a bonus had already been divided

That said, not all bonuses will automatically count as income for alimony. If the court already treated a bonus as a marital asset and divided it during property distribution, it generally will not count that money again as income for alimony purposes. Counting the same money twice would be unfair and Rhode Island courts recognize that. Hence, be sure to ask your attorney how your settlement categorized your bonus before drawing any conclusions.

What happens if your bonus disappears?

Beyond how the court categorizes your bonuses, your financial picture may change significantly once you finalize your divorce. If your company stops offering bonuses due to economic hardship or a shift in policy, you should not have to keep paying support based on income you no longer receive. In that situation, you can file a Motion to Modify your alimony order. That motion allows the court to review your current earnings and adjust your payments accordingly.

Protect the income you’ve worked hard to earn

Divorce brings enough complexity without the added uncertainty of how your bonus income will affect your financial future. Therefore, the more clearly you understand your rights and your options, the better you can make decisions that reflect your actual financial situation. This is why taking the time to learn how Rhode Island courts handle bonus income is one of the most practical steps you can take to protect what you have worked hard to earn.]]> On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[How health challenges can impact Rhode Island alimony orders]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50450 2026-04-22T18:06:16Z 2026-04-22T18:06:16Z Do medical issues affect earning potential? In some cases, spouses requesting alimony petition the courts for financial support due to their personal medical challenges. For example, it is somewhat common for people to divorce after a cancer diagnosis. When one spouse is clearly unable to work because of a debilitating medical condition, the courts may agree that alimony is appropriate, at least for as long as the condition diminishes their earning capabilities. In other cases, the party with the debilitating medical condition might be a child who depends on the divorcing spouses. Both minor and adult children with disabling medical conditions can impact their parents’ earning potential. If one parent acts as the primary caregiver for the child, they may be unable to work anything beyond a part-time position or a low-demand remote work job. The courts consider how medical concerns and custody arrangements for children with medical challenges may affect the ability to live independently and maintain gainful employment. Those seeking alimony during a Rhode Island divorce may need guidance regarding their rights. Partnering with an attorney familiar with complex divorce matters, including alimony, can help people pursue reasonable divorce terms.  ]]> On Behalf of Rioles Law Offices <![CDATA[Financial disclosure when going through a divorce]]> https://www.riolesfamilylaw.com/?p=50448 2026-04-07T08:49:32Z 2026-04-07T08:49:32Z Spouses getting a divorce are required to follow certain steps to ensure fair decisions are made. Submitting a financial disclosure is one of those steps, as it helps in ensuring a fair and transparent property division. In Rhode Island, the disclosure is done using the DR-6 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, Income and Expenses, also called the FC-5 form. You and your spouse need to submit this form to have a clear picture of your marital assets and debts. Here is what to know:

Provide correct information

When filing out your form, make sure you provide accurate information. This is a sworn document made under oath/ penalty of perjury. So, double-check your numbers before submitting the form and have supporting documents.   If you fail to disclose needed information or make false declarations, you may find yourself in legal trouble. You may face penalties for providing an inaccurate statement, and the court may reject it, which can delay finalizing the divorce.

Carefully review your spouse’s statement

When you receive your spouse’s financial declaration, carefully review every detail they have provided. If you need further information, you can request it from them during the discovery phase via interrogatories, depositions, and subpoenas.  If you notice suspicious activities in your spouse’s finances, you should raise the matter immediately. For instance, you notice they have reported a low income, did not provide certain bank statements, are withdrawing large amounts without an explanation or are suddenly paying unfamiliar vendors or employees from their business. When you report a suspicious activity to the court, it can immediately order your spouse to stop transferring assets, which can significantly protect you. A spouse hiding income is not an uncommon issue during divorce. This usually leads to unfair property division. Get more information about financial disclosures to protect yourself and your interests.    ]]>